Kalvin Phillips ranks Bielsa, Guardiola and Southgate after Leeds United glory days
Kalvin Phillips has ranked Marcelo Bielsa ahead of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Gareth Southgate given the time spent at Leeds United.
The English midfielder, who’s now plying his trade at Ipswich Town admits that the Argentine had the biggest impact on his career.
He opted to put him at number one with Sky Sports sharing a clip from his interview on Saturday Social.
“Bielsa had the biggest impact on my career. The time when he came at Leeds, we were a Championship club and he completely flipped it.”
Marcelo Bielsa and Kalvin Phillips had a special connection at Leeds United
Phillips’ choice of Bielsa as the manager with the most significant impact on his career is understandable given the Argentine’s transformative effect during his time at Elland Road.
El Loco’s meticulous approach to training, focusing intensely on physical fitness, tactical understanding, and discipline, directly contributed to Phillips’ development from a promising youngster to a pivotal player in the Championship and beyond.
Under Bielsa, Phillips was not only physically transformed, losing weight to meet Bielsa’s high standards, but also tactically honed, playing a deeper role that maximised his ability to read the game so much better.
This period under the manager’s wing at Leeds was crucial for Phillips, showcasing how Bielsa’s methods could elevate a player’s game, making him not just a local hero but a national team contender.
While injuries have impacted his career progression and his move to Manchester City not panning out as expected, the player he was at Leeds was unbelievable.
The Elland Road faithful will surely be hoping that they had a player like him in their midfield as he certainly took the team to the next level.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites want to sign a four-time league winner as an update has emerged from Thorp Arch.
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.